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Editorial: Lax nepotism rules and reporting give townships, state a black eye

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petemoss
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 1:03 pm
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Uneducated and full of greed and desire for material wealth would best describe the nepotism in Martinsville and southern Morgan County. All of these elected government officials have their sons, daughters, wives, aunts, uncles and cousins working for them. Not because they are the best person for the job, but, because their bloodline qualifies them for the postion. From the Brays, Scotts, Kivetts, and the Buskirks to the Gardners, Deckards, Neals and Manleys, it is a shame, but, without a conscience to get out of the denial, it continues. Decisions are all based on "what's in it for me?". Just look at all of the people that lost their lives in the flood of 2008. That was the Boyer/Mason boys takin' money from the local contractors to get the regulations and reviews of such construction changed so they could develop their cheap land purchases. When will the citizens of Martinsville wake up and decide to get some industry and manufacturing in the city and county? Never, unless we all wake up and use our votes to dump the uneducated political nepotites and elect good people like some of our ancestors like Kenny Watson, Jim Nash, Bill Poe and they other WWII men and women that made this town the special place it used to be. Denial, denial, denial is what you apathetic people need to get help with.

Rod
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 1:46 pm
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Good job on the editorial.The reporter is not afraid to follow this story!

Ratcatcher
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 2:47 pm
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Kudos to the paper on this series and editorial! Glad to see they aren't afraid to do their job of investigating and informing even when it means they will likely PO some people in high places. They just went up two notches on my respect meter.

Liberty
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 3:19 pm
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Humm... Has anyone asked how much money they paid to have the abandoned cemeterys mowed and to whom they cut the checks to. That may shock the community as well.

The idea of having someone from the local community who knows those in need to be able to disperse the poor relief fund surly seemed like a good idea at one time. But in ALL institutions of man, money will become the root value that will eventually rule over principles.

Personal profit has overcome all these institutions and that includes institutionalized churches. You'll find it hard pressed to find any so-called church that even gives 10 percent of what they collect in the name of God to the only thing God's word authorizes it to be used for and that's Benevolence. That's right " poor relief" The rest go's to personal profit ( wages) and real estate ( treasures on earth that moths and rust destroys). So it's not just the trustees.

We are living in a time when satans grasp on the affairs of mankind have become harder and harder to hide. From his parking lots of pews to the his tying up of the Christians offerings in personal profit and real estate he has disarmed the church and we are seeing it manifested by in our communities in those we work with, buy fron, elect, marry, and even just ask for help in moving.

We are in a time were evils of socialism and all it's corruption have become accepted regardless of political party and most aren't even aware they accept it's premise.

Satan's deceptive illusions rule the day. If we live in Christ Kingdom on earth and place our trust only in Him we will no longer be disappointed with the world that we once placed our trust in.

His simple Gospel is this, Repent ( change of mind- stop sinning) and Follow Him in Love- Faith Obedience of His commands. Then live for Him in His kingdom and let the things of this world take it's own coarsen as must happen before His return. :)

To The Point
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 3:27 pm
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Petemoss:
Your blog was interesting, indeed, but not accurate. Like so many others who write well meaning blogs but, have no idea of what's transpired to this point or how hard some have worked to make these things happen! Being one who attends these meetings of city/county government, there is no DENIAL, DENIAL, DENIAL...on the part of the city. You have no idea how hard these leaders have worked to seek the things you are asking. Even those good men you refered to...Watson, Nash, Poe & other WWII men (what's that got to do with it? We have good brave military men still working for Martinsville)...could not make things happen that you mention. Do you somehow think they, alone, could force commercial and industrial companies to locate here, or give them the money they ask for...when the companies do not want to locate here? Your points are well taken; however, get involved with the process so you will know what is happening (and not act on rumors, etc.)and be a part of the resolution, not the problem. This city is as great as it ever was and making great strides to the future. Just my opinion.

A Hoosier
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 6:01 pm
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Here in Jackson township we pay higher taxes than any other township in the county. Last year Dan Broyer was given two checks each for over 100,000 dollars. His salary is, if I remember correctly around 12,000 dollars his wife's around 11,000 dollars. His budgeted insurance expense was 17,000 dollars. 5000 dollars more than his salary. Sweet deal for the boy. Trustees submit a budget that is approved by the auditor and the check is given to them. What happens to that money after that is anyones quess. The county departments must submit all of their bills to the auditor who then approves them and pays the bill. Brenda or staff will not allow any bill to be paid if it is not in the budget or an approved expenditure.

Apathy is our fault and easily corrected. If we want taxpayer dollars to be spent wisely, we must be involved in the work of our elected officials.

KennyD
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 6:15 pm
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Okay now, this is a very well written article, with good points on both sides of the issue. While I agree that a lot of nepotism leads to corruption of the political system here I need to ask my fellow bloggers this question.

It seems that this is a lot of ammunition to fire at the "Elimination of Township Government" push. If these problems were taken care of, would that solve the issue for the reasons of getting rid of the township governments?

I must ask this as well... if township governments were folded into city/county control would that stop nepotism? Does it currently exist in city/county government?

I am curious to know.

Liberty
Wednesday, January 19, 2011: 9:41 am
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I have a question. Has anyone ever heard or seen a trustee ever making an effort to seek out the poor or needy ? I'm just asking because I haven't ever seen or heard that poor relief was available in this county. I knew because I already understood the structure but do they seek-out the needy ?

If they do then how ? The numbers posted by the paper doesn't appear to reflect the desperate time we live in with all the unemployment and foreclosures. Seems like I would have read in the paper that the trustees have relief for the poor.

I think the paper does public service adds but I haven't seen a trustee poor relief announcement. I had the impression that they kind of hide from those needing the money. If this is the case then what more worthy of a purpose do they have ? Maybe I can get some help on this ?

Ratcatcher
Wednesday, January 19, 2011: 11:14 am
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Liberty,
Back in the olden days the trustee would walk the streets and knock on doors asking if people needed help and offering it. I know this because of a family story whereby my Grandmother was said to have run a trustee off her front porch with a rolling pin after she was widowed with 8 kids to feed. To her it was an embarassment for him to be seen on her property. Maybe that is why trustees don't seek out the needy - they don't want to shame them.

Liberty
Wednesday, January 19, 2011: 12:16 pm
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Thanks, Rat,

I can understand that. I remember the humiliation my low income parents felt when some good meaning people selected them as needy and dropped off a food basket one year at Christmas time. They felt good (as they should) about what they had and how hard they worked for it. Never asked for help.

It seems a notice in the news paper or asking the utilities to spread this information would alleviate the risk of unsolicited help.

Remember the local government that came down on the family whose water had been shut of and they had to throw their child's waste in the trash. Did anyone point them to the trustee ? I only read how they pointed CPS to them. Hummm...

I'm still looking for the purpose of a trustee.

Any other help on here would be appreciated.

10 comments found